5 individuals, 2 organizations chosen for Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation

In a bid to promote and recognize efforts in nature and wildlife conservation nationwide, five individuals and two institutions have been named recipients of the "Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation" across three distinct categories.

The decision was made during the 37th meeting of the Wildlife Advisory Board convened at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, chaired by minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury, on Sunday.

The meeting aimed to finalize nominations for the Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation for the years 2023 and 2024.

For the Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation 2023, Md Abu Saeed from Dhaka and Md Zahir Raihan from Jhenaidah were jointly selected in the category encompassing wildlife conservation officers, distinguished researchers, scientists, conservationists, and media personalities.

In the segment dedicated to wildlife education and research, Professor Md Abdul Aziz from the Zoology Department of Jahangirnagar University was chosen, while the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) secured recognition in the organization category for its commitment to wildlife conservation.

For the Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation 2024, Akash Koli Das from Pabna was selected as the wildlife conservation officer, alongside Md Kamrul Hasan, professor of the Zoology Department at Jahangirnagar University, in the domain of wildlife education and research.

Additionally, Naogaon's Joboibil Biodiversity Conservation and Social Welfare Organization was honoured in the organization category for its dedicated efforts in wildlife conservation.

During his address, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury underscored the heightened significance of wildlife conservation in the present context and pledged to leverage the expertise of the awardees.

He announced plans to update the guidelines for the Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation, initially issued in 2012, and urged all stakeholders to actively contribute to wildlife conservation efforts.

The meeting was attended by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mokammel Hossain, Ministry of Environment Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Director General of the Department of Environment Dr Abdul Hamid, Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury, and other committee members.

Each recipient of the Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation will receive a cash prize equivalent to the market value of two bhori (23.32 grams) of gold and an account pay-e check worth Tk50,000 in their respective category.